US Citizenship & Issues

Lesson 2 on 1.2 in Textbook

National Identity & Immigration Review

• What values do we share as Americans?– Freedom– Equality– Popular Sovereignty– Majority rule with minority rights– Economic Opportunity– Individual Initiative

• Which one of these is most important to you? To immigrants?

1. What is the message of the cartoon?2. Is the cartoon critical or supportive of

immigration policies?

1. What is the message of the cartoon?2. Is the cartoon critical or supportive of

immigration policies?

1. What is the message of the cartoon?2. Is the cartoon critical or supportive of

immigration policies?

Path to US Citizenship

Citizen by birth• Natural born citizen or Automatic citizenship

• Method 1: jus sanguanis – “Rule of the blood”– Born to a US citizen

• Method 2: jus soli (Obama!)– “Rule of the soil”– Born on any US soil

• (state, territory, vessel, etc.)

Path to US CitizenshipNaturalization:• The legal process of becoming a citizen• The USCIS is in charge. Costs about $675!

– Enter legally (Declaration of intent)– Be 18 years old (Discuss children)– Have continuous residency for 5 years (3 if

married)– Be of good moral character– Speak English (Not for natural born citizens!)– Know about US history & government– Take Oath of Allegiance

Aliens vs. Immigrants• Define the term!• Answer the questions:

– Are all aliens immigrants? Explain!– Are all immigrants aliens? Explain!

• Differentiate between the types of aliens in the US today with an example of each.– Resident alien --Refugee– Non-resident alien --Illegal alien

• What rights do citizens have that the above do not have? Should they?

Is it too hard or too easy to become a citizen?

• Can you pass the test? Let’s find out!• Once naturalized, what one right is forever

denied to these new citizens?• What are the rights, duties & responsibilities of

all citizens?• As a citizen can you ever lose your citizenship?

– Denaturalization (Only naturalized!)– Expatriation– Punishment for a crime

US vs. Countries around the World

• Compare US to Canada:– Canadian Citizenship Video– How is it different? Same?

• Compare US to Britain:– British Citizenship Video– How is it different? Same?

Immigration Issues• What issues cause the US to tighten immigration

laws?– Racism (Chinese Exclusion Act of 1883)– Employment Fears (See above & Immigration Control

& Reform Act of 1986)– Terrorism (PATRIOT Act of 2001)– Cultural Change Fears (Johnson Act of 1924)

• What issues cause the US to loosen its laws?– Economic Prosperity (Immigration Act of 1965)– Change in Values (Immigration Reform Act of 1990)

• 14th Amendment defines US citizenship!

Final discussionMany suggestions have been made as to what the US should do about illegal aliens coming in to our country. Some of these suggestions include: •Building a wall along the southern border •Deportation back to their country•Giving amnesty to those already here or at least for children•Starting a guest worker program•Open our borders to everyone

What do you think we should do about this issue? What are the pros & cons of your choice? Is restricting immigration “democratic?”

Assignment: Read 1.3 & Lesson 1

• Why must a society have a government? Explain the social contract theory.

• If we must have a government, what do we expect it to do for us? Explain.

• What choices does a society have in structuring a government? Explain the types of government.

• Give an example of each of the principles of American democracy listed on p. 24.